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T O P I C R E V I E W

cspg

Announced today, Dragon Wings 1:400 A2 Soyuz TMA-3 rocket.

roberthoudin

The colors of all the stages are not accurate. Only the fairing has "white" in this version. On the other stages, the "white" is due to frost building up outside of the LOX tanks. They should all be gray... I hope they will correct before they sell it.

cspg

Based on this launch photo the stages are closer to white than grey. On the other hand you do have a point based on this picture.

I guess they'll have to produce another model, then.

roberthoudin

I guess you really did not read what I wrote. The rocket itself is gray. The white color at launch is due to frost accumulating on the outside of the LOX tanks.

All available photos that show the Soyuz launcher being assembled, erected and waiting to be filled with LOX show that the rocket is gray. No need to create a new version. This version should be corrected, including reflective covering at the bottom of the stages and red color inside the engine bells.

There are today many photographic references, including on western websites, easily accessible that should have been consulted before putting this one out. When one pays this price for a die-cast model, one would expect to have this type of detail addressed. Using gray instead of white and gray, I am sure is not more expensive to Dragon...

cspg

quote:Originally posted by roberthoudin:I guess you really did not read what I wrote.

But I did – only realizing later that the photos during rollout are strikingly different than the ones at launch. I guess that Dragon produced a model "at launch" instead of "on the pad". But as I said, it is most likely that there will be more Soyuz launcher models – hopefully with correct markings this time.

BMckay

Would this model be a good representation for TMA-22 that just launched?

roberthoudin

Of course not. All the picture of this launcher being erected shows it is gray, and it does not have the accurate markings on the boosters. I will buy it, but I will correct the colors.

BMckay

I am looking for a good model to represent TMA-22. Where can I buy one?

Robert Pearlman

I think this will make for a fine model of any of the Soyuz TMA launch vehicles, once it is released.

As has been noted before, the product images shared by Dragon are preliminary; they are released as the model is still being developed.

Dragon is in the process of adjusting the colors of this model to match the actual Soyuz launch vehicle.

Robert Pearlman

Dragon's revised Soyuz TMA-3:

cspg

Now planned for December release. 14 months after being announced...

starhopper

quote:Originally posted by cspg:Now planned for December release. 14 months after being announced...

LOL - I'll believe it when I see it! I put in an order (and paid via PayPal) for this model last December!!! Crossing my fingers that I will eventually get it.

arjuna

After two years of blazing speed, Dragon's output this year has been very slow. Any idea why?

cycleroadie

If they've been reading some of the posts on here about issues with previous released models, maybe they are taking more time to get it right. We can only hope.

cspg

quote:Originally posted by arjuna:Any idea why?

I've been asking myself the same question. More interested in other ventures like Marvel and Disney products?

arjuna

As much as I'd like to hope Cycleroadie is right, my bet is it's closer to cspg's answer.

cspg

The Space Store says that the arrival date of this model is October 10th.

cycleroadie

It did hit the coast on Friday, so should be out there anytime now.

Jay Chladek

One of my fears about Dragon is flooding the market with too much stuff too fast. I mean, there are ONLY so many collectors out there who are willing to get ALL the Apollo modules and the like (and be happy with all of their purchases due to some of the quality control issues). Many of us are happy with just getting one or two pieces that we are specifically interested in, possibly due to limited budget, display space or other factors. I know in the model kit series, while it is nice to have choice, having four 1/72 Apollo CSM and LM combos out there (two Apollo 11 sets, Apollo 10 with the SLA and Apollo 17) seemed a bit excessive when except for a few drop in parts trees, the core kits were essentially the same.

So they may have looked at their sales numbers and decided to back off just a bit. At least they are still continuing with new unique releases while not churning out too many similar products too quickly.

cspg

Once you get your mold up and running you might as well capitalize on it and release as many models of that particular mold (Apollo CSM would be a perfect example). The drawback to that is, on top of what you've mentioned, is that customers might yawn at the latest release as "ooh, another CSM". Yet there are numerous new models that could be produced as discussed in the Dragon's thread. And models could be out of metal instead of plastic (their 1:400 C-17 weighs almost more than their 1:72 Redstone!).

starhopper

FINALLY! After almost a year of being on the pre-order list, Flying Mule has shipped my Dragon Soyuz! Woo Hoo!